US shifts strategy from global role, resets security priorities

WASHINGTON — The United States will reassert its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, and possibly reassess its relationship with Europe, the country has said in a strategy document that seeks to reframe the country's role in the world.

The National Security Strategy described the US administration's vision as one of "flexible realism "and argued that the US should revive the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the Western Hemisphere to be Washington's zone of influence. It also warned that Europe faces "civilizational erasure" and must change course.

The document, released last week, is the latest expression of the administration to shake up the post-World War II order led by the United States and built on a network of alliances and multilateral groups, and redefine it through the "America First" lens.

"President (Donald) Trump's foreign policy is pragmatic without being 'pragmatist', realistic without being 'realist', principled without being 'idealistic', muscular without being 'hawkish', and restrained without being 'dovish'," the 29-page document said. "It is motivated above all by what works for America."

The paper said Trump would "restore American preeminence" in the Western Hemisphere and put the region at the top of the administration's foreign policy priorities.

"This 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine is a commonsense and potent restoration of American power and priorities, consistent with American security interests," the document said, suggesting that the large US military buildup in the region is not temporary.

In the document, the administration took a dour view of its traditional allies in Europe, warning that the continent faces "civilizational erasure" and must change course if it is to remain a reliable ally for the US.

The document is the latest in a series of statements by US officials that have upended postwar assumptions about Europe's close relationship with its strongest ally, Reuters reported.

"Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become majority non-European," the document said.

On the Ukraine conflict, the document said it was in the US' strategic interest to negotiate a quick resolution and to reestablish "strategic stability" with Russia.

Agencies via Xinhua